Christmas Day Activities with NYC Kids: What's Open, and What's Fun?

Here's What's Open for Kids to Do on Christmas Day Around New York City

The presents have been ripped open, the plastic packaging dismantled, and the batteries installed. Dinner won't be ready for hours and the kids are stir crazy. What else can you do on Christmas Day in New York City with the kids? What is open?

Those who don't celebrate the holiday have asked that question for years, and the answer is traditionally Chinese food and a movie. But there are options, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. Here are 13 fun things to do on December 25 in NYC. You can find even more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide or Event Calendar, and of course, best things to do all holiday weekend.

2. Go to the circus.Big Apple Circus has returned to Lincoln Center and there are two shows on Christmas Day, at noon and 4pm. See horizontal juggling for the first time in America, with the award-winning aerial duo Desire of Flight.

Experience the thrill of transforming into a sweet Troll at The Trolls Experience. Photo by Jody Mercier

10.Go bowling. Several of the city's bowling lanes are open on Christmas, including Bowlmor Chelsea Piers and Bowlmor Times Square. Abbreviated hours apply, so call ahead.

11. Attend a religious service. If you weren't able to go on Christmas Eve, churches are, of course, open on Christmas Day.

12. Gawk at the holiday windows. We make our annual trek to see the holiday windows right after Thanksgiving. But time is swiftly running out on these awe-inspiring displays before they come down for the season.

Take a Christmas photo in front of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Photo by Jody Mercier